Friday, April 1, 2022

Friday Felines and a Back Update

 Good Morning Friends!

Lots and lots of rain last night.  And more this morning.  Sweet Mabel went out around 5 and when I came back downstairs at 6:30 I discovered yet another vole on the patio.  How many voles can one property have?  Apparently many.  Here's our sweet huntress:


Breakfast time!

Well, I met with the neuro surgeon yesterday.  I have to say I was not overly impressed with him.  He would ask a question as I would start to answer it, he would begin talking again.  Rude.  And didn't really listen to me.  But, bottom line, I now have a back brace I can wear when needed.  For example, standing around the kitchen and cooking (which I love to do) is hard on my back, so I can wear the brace.  If I'm going to be in the car longer than 45 minutes or an hour, I can wear the brace.  I can also get back to doing some exercising and definitely walking.  He suggested PT, so I have an evaluation appointment set up for next week and then 4 PT sessions scheduled.  I honestly do not think I need to go twice a week, but I'll see how it goes and play it by ear.

So, even though I was not impressed with the doctor, I am pleased with how the appointment went and the prognosis for my back.  I don't need to see him again unless my back gets worse.  It's all good and I cannot wait to get back to walking and moving (gently at first)!  I've two conference calls today, but after that maybe the skies will clear and I can get outside.  Fingers crossed!

And tomorrow Dee and I have plans to get together for some coffee...some yarn shopping...some lunch...as I said, it's all good!  I think that's a very nice way to welcome April!  And I hope you enjoy your weekend.

17 comments:

  1. So sorry about the rude doctor (so many of them really need to work on their "bedside manner" . . . ), but I'm glad to hear he's working with you to develop a plan for getting you moving again! When I had to do PT a few years ago, I thought 2 appointments per week (which actually turned into 3. . . ) was overkill. But it worked! So you just never know . . .

    (And voles are such a nuisance in the garden, it's fortunate you have Mabel the Vole Master on the job!)

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  2. Oh boy. I am sorry for your Neuro Surgeon Experience... I think that is a common ailment for those types of doctors. They think they are smarter than your average surgeon... and they are sure they are smarter than all their patients. (I have known a Neuro Surgeon or two... they are the ones you never want to invite to any kind of party. lol) However, I am glad that you have a path forward and I have found Physical Therapists to be some of the most wonderful health care workers! May you find that your therapists are abundantly wonderful!

    Have fun tomorrow with Dee! :)

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  3. Ugh, I hate people who ask questions and then talk over you when you try to respond! I certainly hope that this doctor is much better at actually practicing medicine than at interacting with patients. And I really hope the brace and the PT do the job for you.

    Enjoy your weekend!

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  4. Mabel looks like she is saying, "could I please just eat in peace without the papparazzi?????"

    See you in the mornin'!

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  5. A good report is a very good thing. The brace will give you the support when needed, the PT will give you the right exercises to do at home, too. All good. have fun tomorrow with Dee!

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  6. That's frustrating. I still have to get us a new dr out here. My old dr was so good, I'm afraid no one else is going to measure up.

    I have a feeling your vole population will peter off eventually. Mom had lots of them at her place, but after a couple of years, they stopped showing up dead on the doorstep, lol. She hasn't had one in years.

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  7. The brace sounds like a good idea as does PT. I hope you and Dee find some great bargains on yarn.

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  8. Don't voles create their own little kingdoms under the lawn? I swear, we have a vole hill that's almost two feet tall in the yard. Mabel is welcome over here to do some hunting.

    I have to say, my BIL is a (retired) neurosurgeon and he acts just like yours'. I'm sure there are good ones out there, but my health care friends say as a group they aren't the most compassionate. BIL went into that field since it was the most lucrative, so there's that.

    But hopefully the brace will help!

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  9. If you are getting better slowly that is all that really counts! Whenever I have a compassionate doctor I am ever so grateful, I've had my share of the 'meh' ones! (the younger ones I think are trained to be kind and to listen). So happy you are able to do more, give Mabel a kiss from me!

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  10. Your nuero experience is so the norm.we were continually interrupted by one doctor in particular. Yes it is rude and shows they feel.superior to the rest of us.

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  11. My dad's neurosurgeon was so good looking I had a hard time remembering what he told me. The hospital used his picture on a billboard a few years ago and I almost ran off the road when I saw it.

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  12. I'm sorry about your neuro doctor experience but I hope his suggestions work. It's good to get your life back. I really liked my neurologist in Spokane but the one I saw here a few weeks ago was awful. I won't be going back to him, ever.
    Could we please borrow Mabel? we have a huge town of voles under our lawn. Last year it was looking so beautiful and overnight they had tunnels and holes everywhere. That's a pain when you spend time and money to make it look nice. She also looks like she doesn't enjoy her picture being taken when she's eating. :-)
    Enjoy your evening and have fun with Dee tomorrow as I know you will.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  13. Doctors (and really people like that in general) make me want to slap them upside the head! If they've asked a question, they should listen to the answer. But even if he was rude, some PT, a brace , and a return to walking will hopefully do the trick. Have fun with Dee!

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  14. Well, that sounds good! Hopefully between the brace and the PT you can heal! I don't think I've seen a vole, but the brats are nasty to moles. If I see one of them I move them to protective areas. Weird looking little buggers but they eat grubs.

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  15. I'm sorry you were put off by your doctor. As far as PT, think of it as a way to get some helpful stretching exercises and instruction on how to do them correctly. That way, you can properly work your back out at home safely. I've always found PT helpful, especially in that way.

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  16. Overall, this sounds like a good report. I have found PT helpful because it gives me some exercises and stretching routines I can use when my back pain flares up. I hope you find the therapist willing to listen.

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  17. Hopefully the brace will help you heal, and the PT too. your kitty is very naughty but very sweet.
    Jillxo

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